GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Around this time last year, water levels were high, and so was the risk of flooding in some areas of Green Bay.
“We were paying attention to the water levels because all it took was an inch of rain to fall during the day and the wind to come out of the north and it would back up the Fox River and everybody would be having the same problems,” Brown County Emergency Management director Lauri Maki said.
That’s not exactly the case so far this year.
Emergency Management says water levels are not what they used to be, but they’re still considered to be high.
“It’s easy to forget that we’re still at high water levels because of how much lower it is than last year,” Maki said.
At this point, the Green Bay Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department is still unable to put docks in the water on the Fox River.
“A foot too high, still, from where it needs to be,” Green Bay Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department assistant director James Andersen said.
When it does flood, Andersen tells FOX 11 it largely impacts residents, and not just the ones that live in the floodplain.
“It affects a lot of our fields and the use of soccer and baseball and the different sports that utilize the parks and recreation fields.”
Andersen says it also affects the trails.
Emergency Management and the Parks Department say they work with other agencies to help mitigate flooding when it does happen.
Maki says it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.
Officials suggest having a kit with essential items, have a plan for your pets, consider flood insurance and have an alternate place to stay.
For resources on flooding in Brown County, click here.
